The Department of Art and Design at the University of Alberta is seeking to nominate a Senior (Tier I) Canada Research Chair in Design Studies. We welcome applications from exceptional scholars with a strong record of teaching and collaborative research in the field of design theory and practice. A PhD in Design or a related field is preferred. Current members of the Department of Art and Design take an integrative and interdisciplinary approach to design studies, practice and research, and focus on issues of social and environmental health and wellbeing. The appointment will commence 1 July 2010, at the level of either senior Associate or Full Professor, with tenure.

The Canada Research Chairs Program was established by the Canadian Government to foster world-class research excellence. As stated in the program’s Terms of Reference (see http://www.chairs.gc.ca/), “Tier I Chairs, tenable for seven years and renewable, are for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers are world leaders in their fields,” with an excellent record of teaching and graduate supervision. The candidate’s proposed research program should ideally conform to the University’s vision and “cornerstones” outlined in the recently-adopted statement entitled “Dare to Discover” (http://www.president.ualberta.ca/daretodiscover.cfm). The candidate nominated by the Department will be subject to review by the CRC Secretariat, and appointment is conditional upon their approval. The successful applicant will be expected to teach at all levels of the curriculum, from first-year to graduate level courses, and to take on graduate supervision as well as other supervisory and administrative committee work.

Candidates should send the Chair a letter of application outlining the proposed program of research, a complete curriculum vitae (with full contact information, including phone numbers and e-mail address), a sample publication (20-page maximum), a portfolio of up to 20 examples in electronic format of recent design work (if applicable), the names of at least three referees, and a teaching dossier with evaluations of teaching performance. Finalists will be asked to send letter of reference and transcripts directly to the Department. The closing date for applications is 1 April 2009. All application materials should be sent directly to: